The Andromeda Strain (miniseries)
| The Andromeda Strain | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Based on |
The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton |
| Written by | Robert Schenkkan |
| Directed by | Mikael Salomon |
| Starring |
Benjamin Bratt Eric McCormack Christa Miller Daniel Dae Kim Paul Perri Viola Davis Ricky Schroder Andre Braugher Eve Harlow |
| Theme music composer | Joel J. Richard |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) |
Ridley Scott Tony Scott David W. Zucker Tom Thayer Mikael Salomon |
| Cinematography | Jon Joffin |
| Editor(s) | Scott Vickrey |
| Running time | 169 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | A&E Network |
| Original release | May 26 – May 27, 2008 |
The Andromeda Strain is a 2008 science fiction miniseries, based on the novel of the same name published in 1969 by Michael Crichton about a team of scientists who investigate a deadly disease of extraterrestrial origin. The miniseries is a "reimagining" of the original Michael Crichton novel rather than an adaptation. In addition to updating the setting to the early 21st Century, the miniseries makes a great many plot and character changes from its source. The mini-series has two episodes for a total of 169 minutes (originally aired on 26 and 27 May 2008).
A United States government satellite crash lands near Piedmont, Utah, and two teenagers find it and bring it back to town. The town's inhabitants open it and release a deadly microorganism, which is later codenamed Andromeda by the Army. A team is sent from the Army's bio-defense department to retrieve the satellite, only to die from the disease themselves. The video footage recorded by the retrieval team and their strange deaths capture the attention of General George Mancheck, the head of the bio-defense department, who activates "Wildfire," a team of five scientists who are called upon when high-level bioterror threats occur in the United States. The team, headed by its creator, Dr. Jeremy Stone, investigates Piedmont. They retrieve the satellite and rescue a hysterical 60-year-old man and a colicky baby who have survived the Andromeda outbreak.
In an isolated underground laboratory, the Wildfire team begins their examination of the downed satellite and the two survivors. The laboratory is powered by a small water-cooled nuclear reactor. In the event of a contamination breach, a 15-minute self-destruct sequence would be automatically initiated; however if the activated sequence is deemed unnecessary, Major Bill Keane, designated by the Odd-Man Hypothesis (which states that unmarried men are capable of carrying out the best, most dispassionate decisions during crisis), is the only person able to deactivate the sequence, using his pass key and right thumbprint.
The scientists begin their analysis of the Andromeda strain by recovering a sample from inside the satellite. They initially discover that the microorganism is contained within a delivery system of buckyballs, a technology more advanced than anything known at present. The team theorizes that Andromeda may have an extraterrestrial origin, as it has no DNA or amino acids. The team discovers Andromeda is an airborne microorganism that kills its host by entering the bloodstream through the lungs and coagulating the blood in the body, causing death within 10 seconds via a blood clot in the brain. Those who manage to survive the blood clot become insane, extremely violent and suicidal. It is revealed that the two survivors from Piedmont had not been affected by Andromeda because of their acidotic blood. However, all initial tests with antibiotics and chemical agents regularly used to kill other microorganisms show no effect on Andromeda.
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